Swansey Gets 99 Years, LIVINGSTON, August 31, 2018 - After having found 24 year old Joseph Alexander Swansey guilty of aggravated assault of a public servant, a Polk County Jury handed down a 99 year sentence in prison for the March 7, 2017 shooting incident in which Swansey shot a rifle multiple times at Polk County Sheriff's Deputy, Joshua Sanders. The jury deliberated for a little over an hour before rendering its unanimous decision. During the punishment phase/hearings, a medical doctor/psychiatrist who studied Swansey's case rendered startling expert opinion on Swansey's mental condition. Dr. Sherry Gaines stated to the jury that Swansey, in her opinion (based on her extensive experience) has bi-polar disorder, and has an anti-social personality disorder. Swansey has allegedly threatened to go on an active shooting spree. Swansey has a history of drug use, including methamphetamine, speed, and other illegal and legal drugs. Gaines also pointed out that Swansey has no remorse for violence towards others. During closing arguments, District Attorney Lee Hon beseeched the jury to give Swansey the maximum sentence of 99 years. "He has fifteen felony offenses in just 3 years and is becoming more violent" Hon stated to the jury. Defense Attorney, Mike Davis asked the jury not to throw the life away of a 24 year old kid. Davis insisted that if they gave him five to ten years that Swansey would become a different person. Hon told the jury "You know in your hearts what you have to do". Swansey stood silently with his lawyers as District Judge, Kaycee Jones, read the punishment that was decided by the jury.
Swansey will be eligible for parole in 30 years.
See Related Story Below
24 year old Joseph Alexander Swansey (right) in District Judge Kaycee Jones' court on Tuesday morning (Swansey is sitting with his 2 lawyers).
Point Blank Man On Trial for Aggravated Assault of a Public Servant, LIVINGSTON, August 28, 2018 - The trial of a man who fired shots at a Polk County Deputy in 2017 got underway this morning (08/28) in District Judge Kaycee Jones' 411th District Court. Joseph Alexander Swansey, 24, of Point Blank, is facing the charge of aggravated assault for an incident that occurred on March 7, 2017. On that morning, Deputy Josh Sanders, with the Polk County Sheriff's Office was dispatched to 1182 River Road in the subdivision of Holiday Lake Estates in reference to a possible disturbance. According to the complainants (Swansey's ex girlfriend with whom he as a child with, and her new boyfriend) Swansey was coming to their house and allegedly threatening to shoot them. According to Sanders, when he arrived, he pulled into the driveway. He walked up to the house to find the woman, Ahsley Wolf and her boyfriend, Travis Smith outside. The couple alluded to their concern about Swansey's threats. With Sanders there, Swansey called Travis Smith on Smith's cell phone. Smith can be heard on Sanders' body camera stating "I'm here, outside", and "nobody called the cops". A few minutes later, Swansey pulled into the driveway in a white pickup (allegedly stolen). Sanders walked towards the pickup. Before Sanders could get to the pickup, Swansey had picked up what appeared to be an AK-47 rifle. Sanders immediately drew his side arm (.357 Caliber) and yelled in a loud clear voice to put the gun down. While his sidearm was trained on Swansey, Sanders wisely made his way to the front end of his patrol unit (Chevy Tahoe) for cover from possible fire. Swansey began firing his rifle multiple times. The shots completely took out Sanders' back windshield as his Patrol Unit was riddled with bullet holes. One of the rounds struck a fire extinguisher filling Sanders' unit with the powdery substance. Sanders returned fire (11 shots). Swansey hastily backed out of the driveway. Sanders pursued Swansey on River Road. Sanders lost Swansey. Moments later Dispatch informed Sanders that more shots were being fired at the house (there were also three small children in the house). Sanders started back to the house and caught up to Swansey again. The pursuit was on again. The pursuit led to Drew's Landing Road. Swansey's pickup left the road to the left, went airborne and landed in a patch of trees. Sanders exited his unit, with AR-15 rifle at the ready. Sanders ordered Swansey to show his hands. Swansey's hands emerged from the wrecked truck. Swansey exited the truck, got on the ground and cooperated. Sanders held Swansey at gunpoint until backup arrived and he was able to cuff and detain Swansey. Neither Sanders nor Swansey were struck by a bullet. As Sanders recounted the incident from the witness stand, emotion came across his face, but he kept his composure. A video from Sanders' body camera captured the entire incident from beginning to end. Swansey's attorney cross examined Sanders and appeared to try to make a case for suicide by cop (meaning, that Swansey wasn't trying to actually kill Sanders, but rather, was trying to get himself killed by Sanders). The attorney for Swansey also pointed out how Swansey's wreck might have been intentional. The road curved to the right, but Swansey's vehicle exited the road to the left as if intentional, as if trying to kill himself. Prosecutor, District Attorney, Lee Hon asked Sanders why he pursued Swansey, knowing how dangerous that Swansey was. Sanders replied that if Swansey was willing to kill a uniformed officer of the law, then he'd have no problem killing anyone and he felt he had to detain Swansey in order to protect the general public. The trial is expected to last through Thursday. If found guilty, Swansey is possibly facing life in prison.
Stop having to buy new tires every six months! FIX IT ONCE AND FOR ALL!
If you would like to comment on this story, we'd love to hear from you. Email us at pctletters@gmail.com. Be sure to include the story subject in the subject line of your email, also list your name and town in your letter. Your letter will be posted in Letters to the Editor.
